Multicircuit jack



A118- 15, 1939. E. F. NoRRlTo 1 2,159,988

MULTICIRCUIT JACK 3 Sheets-Sheet l Aug. l5, 1939. E, F, NQRRlTo v 2,169,988

MULTICIRCUIT JACK Filed March l, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 gmc/Mofa Earl E Nrzi'.

Patented Aug. 15, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MULTICIRCUIT JACK Earl F. Norrito, Malveme, N. Y. Application March 1, 1937, Serial No. 128,501 17 Claims. (C1. 179-96) The present invention relates to improvements in telephone jacks such as are generally used in telephone equipment and more specically panel boards where it is necessary or desirable to connect a group of signals so that they will operate in a definite pre-determined sequence. The improvement readily lends itself to the toggle key type of switch.

The standard jack used at present in industry is of the strip type consisting of a number of iiat insulated springs or strips running parallel to each other and arranged in a vertical pile. These standard jacks are manufactured to give different sequences of makes and breaks which are not interchangeable. That is, a diierent jack must be used for each diierent sequence and where a change is desired or another signal is to be added, the jack must be removed and a proper one substituted. 'I'hus a complete series of jacks have had to be carried by the installation and maintenance electricians.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a. jack of universal construction from which a multiple of circuits may be obtained without changing the construction or dimensions or maklng it necessary to obtain a certain type.

It is an object of the invention to provide a jack which is sturdy and strong and yet of inexpensive construction.

It is an object of this invention to provide a switch which occupies a minimum of panel area. and the area. occupied is 'substantially independent of the circuits controlled.

It is an object of this invention to provide a jack which may be successfully used on tone circuits where extremely low current is used such as wireless and broadcast signals over a. tone line. In the present type standard jack the flat springs having abroad and lengthy surface and assembled closely together in parallel formation act as condensers when the circuit is broken, permitting leakage or "cross talk. from one spring to the other. In the invention this surface area `has been reduced to a` minimum.

It is an object of the invention to provide a revolving or reciprocating rod of some insulating material such as Bakelite, having a number of metal pins inserted around the circumference at various radial angles. When the rod or arm is revolved through a certain number of degrees the pins pass between a pair of exible spring termmals, completing a circuit between them. The

rod is rotated or reciprocated suiiiciently to make or break' circuits according to the arrangement of the pins. By this construction, having a total of ten available circuits, exclusive of tip, ring and sleeve, it is possible to use one standard 5 jack of this type to make any combination or group of combinations desirable by wiring to the proper terminals or lugs which form a part of the circuits without the use of a specially constructed jack or toggle k-ey for every different 10 combination. With the present standard jack it is only possible to make the one combination for which it has been constructed. By using the invention it is possible to arrange the wiring for any combination or group of combinations del5 sired without changing the unit in any way. Thus the unit jack or toggle key remains standard in size and compactness resulting in a tremendous economy in panel space. The present type of units with their nat strip springs use point to 2O point contacts which very often fail to make contact because of dustand dirt collecting upon, or corrosion of the points. This is especially true where tone signals are used and perfect contact must be maintained as in radio broadcast. 25 In the invention the contacts are all of the wiping type which constantly clean themselves. The` inventionmakes possible nearly a hundred combinations on the jack and nearly twoA hundred combinations on the toggle key. 30

Referring to the accompanying drawings which form a part of this speciiication:

Fig. 1 is an exploded view of the jack type unit.

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the jack with the plug 35 in place.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the jack unit.

Fig. 4 is a schematic drawing of the various type terminal elements.

Fig. 5 is an elevation of the toggle key switch. 40

Fig. 6 is a plan of the toggle key switch.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary detail of a contact arm which may be used in both the jack and toggle switches;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view of modied con- 45 struction of the jack unit.

Fig.9 is a plan view of a lockingtoggle pin.

Y Fig. 10 is a schematic circuit'drawing of the jack Fig. l.

Fig. 1l is a'series of schematic circuit drawings v50 showing various control circuitconnections to obtain denite sequences of events.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the structure of the device may be readily identified. The main body piece, indicated generally by numeral I has an upstanding face flange 2 at its forward end. The ilange 2 is intended to rest against the rear of a switch board panel or the like. The upper side of flange 2 is provided with a perforated lug 3 by means of which the entire assembly may be firmly mountedon a panel. Projecting from the front face of flange 2 is a ferrule 4 of such size as to receive a plug 5 whichA will extend through ange 2 as will be later described. Plug 5 may be provided with the conventional tip 6, ring 1 and sleeve 8 connections. Ferrile 4 is intended to extend' through a hole in the panel and present an exposed end at the front of the panel into which plug 5 may be readily inserted. Ferrule 4 also aids in rmly mounting the assembly on' the panel.

Body piece I has a base portion 9 which is slotted as at AIll and tted with an upturned lug II at the forward end of slot I6. Lug II has a perforation I2. Base portion 9 is further perforated at I3 and I4 to receive mounting screws I5 and I6 for attaching terminal support I1 to the underside of base portion 9. Body piece I is provided with an upstanding side iiange I8 which is perforated at I9.

Terminal support I1 is perforated at both ends as at 20 and 2| to match perforations I3 and I4. The upper surface of support I1 is provided with a series of transverse slots 22 to receiveterminal elements 23. Terminal elements 23 are individually insulated because of the non-conducting properties of support I1.'

A block 24 of non-conducting material is provided with two transverse holes 25 and 26, a hole 21 in its bottom face to receive screw I6 and a hole 28 in its forward surface to serve as a bearing. Block 24 is mounted over hole I4 at the rear of base portion 9.

An elongate cylindrical contact arm 29 or spindle is provided at both ends with journal elements 30 and 3l, which being of smaller diameter than the arm 29 form thrust bearing surface 32 and 33 which bear upon lug II and block 24. Journal elements 30 and 3| fit into and turn on bearing holes I2 and 28. To form a better bearing the elements 30, 3| may be sheathedwith brass ferrules. The body of arm 29 is composed of any suitable non-conducting material in which is mounted a plurality of contact pins 34 .spaced at intervals. Mounted on the forward journal element 30 is a cam 35 of ber or the like. Cam

35 is removable and when assembled is spaced from bearing 32 by lug II. Cam 35 turns with journal 36 and is provided in its upper face with a relatively deep vertical slot 36. The sides of cam 35 are rounded as at 42.

Spring strip element 31 is provided with two perforations 38 and 39 at one-end for mounting -on one side of block 24 and a projecting lug 40 "for connecting the ringing circuit. The central portion of strip 31 is cut away as at 4I to provide room for contact pins 34. Adjacent the forward endv of strip 31 a small tongue 43 is bent inwardly and adapted to ride on the rounded side 42 of cam 35. Adjacent tongue 43 strip 31 is perforated to receive a small insulating disk 44 to prevent itfrom electrically contacting flange I8. The forward end of strip 31 is formed with a lip 45 to contact ring connection 1 on plug 5. Strip .31 is further insulated from flange I8 and screws `46 and 41 by insulating laminae 43 and 49.

Firmly mounted on the right side of block 24 is.

cam actuator and tip circuit element 58. Holes 5I and 52 at one end receive screws 46 and 41. The whole central portion may be slotted as at 53. Element 50 is made of. spring material and is provided at its forward end with a lip 54 adapted to be acted upon by tip 6 of plug 9. Adjacent lip 54 a projecting finger 55 is provided adapted to ride in slot 36 of cam. 35. Element 56 is perforated so as to receive insulating disk 56 to prevent it from electrically contacting lug II. A lug 51 extends from the rear of element 5|! for connecting the tip circuit wire. f

A small member 58 is perforated at 59 and 60 to receive screws 46 and 41. It is provided with a projecting lug 6I for connecting the sleeve circuit wire. Member 58 is insulated from element 50 by a thin piece 62 of ber or the like. Terminal elements 23 are insulated from base portion 9 by ber piece 63 which is provided with a central aperture to permit the projection of the terminal elements.

The terminal elements 23 are stamped from sheet brass or the like and have a stem portion' in pairs as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Each of the pair being close enough together so -that pins 34 complete the electrical connection between the elements 23 and wipe or rub against them thus making the 'contact more certain.

The operation of the jack is as follows. The signal circuit leads are fastened to each pair of terminal elements 23 at tabs 66. Plug 5 is inserted in ferrule4until tip 6 touches lip 54 of actuator element 50. Farther insertion of plug 5 causes lip 54 which is at an angle to its path to move to one side against the spring action of element 5I). Finger 55 moves'with element 59 and presses against the walls of slot 35 of cam 35. This causes cam A35 to rotate. Tongue 43 resting on cam 35 holds lip 45 clear of tip 6 and as the cam turns lip 45 is permitted to come into contact with ring 1 under its inherent spring ac- .contact pins 34 with it. The rpins 34, make,

break or maintain the signal or control circuits depending upon the radial position of the pins 34 as" taught in the irstv three showings inl Fig. 4. It is also possible to operate certain circuits'in time sequence with respect to others.

Of the three terminals 23 in the upper row of Fig. 4, the first is a normal make upon the indicated rotation of arm 29, the second is a normal break and the third is a make before break since it makes its circuits before the circuit shown in the second terminal is broken.

With the terminal shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 the following combinations may be obtained with a single jack. Others may be added as desired by merely making the jack longer. It is noted that the number may be doubled without an increase-in the projected panel area required by the jack. This point is most important in crowded switch boards where panel area is at a premium.

rjfs

Combinations Terminal connections lmake 1 break...

2 make before 2 break... 2 make before 3 break..

1 make before 1 make. 1 make before 2 make... 1 make before 3 make... 2 make before 1 make...

2 make before 3 make. 3 make before l make. 3 make before 2 make. 3 make before 3 make..- 1 make before 1 make after 1 break. 1 make before 2 make after 1 break 1 make before 3 make after 1 break 1 make before l make after 2 break.. 1 make before l make after 3 break.. l make before 1 make after 4 break 2 make before l make after 2 break.. 2 make before 1 make after 3 break 2 make before l make after 4 break 2 make before 2 make after 2 break..- 2 make before 2 make after 3 break 2 make before 2 make after 4 break 2 make before 3 make after 2 break 2 make before 3 make after 3 break..-

Figs. 10 and 11 present circuit drawings of the jack'connections. Fig. 10 shows the settings of the pins 34 as arranged in Fig. 1. These of course can readily be modified. With the settings as shown, the circuit diagrams in Fig. 1l show the following connections.

M-Two break with closed circuit tip connection. Corresponds to Western Electric Jacks 217, 220, 235.

N-One make after break with closed circuit tip connection. corresponds to W. E. jacks 225, 234.

O-One make after three break with tip and ring closed circuit connection. Corresponds to W. E. jack 245.

P-Two make after two break using open circuit ring connection and closed circuit tip connection. Corresponds to W. E. 284.

Q-One make after one break using tip and ring as open circuits. Corresponds to W. E. 243. R-Two break with tip and ring closed circuit connection. Corresponds to W. E. 248, 239. S-Four break with closed tip and open ring connection. Corresponds to Stromberg-Carlson T-Two make before two break, two make after two break, with closed circuit tip and ring. Not catalogued.

U`Two make before one break, with tip open circuit and sleeve closed circuit. Corresponds to Stromberg-Carlson type.

As may be seen in referring to the jack circuit drawing with ten available circuits many multiple circuits may be obtained by shunting and cross connecting the various terminal connections, including tip, ring and sleeve.

In Fig. 7 is shown one means by which the radial position of the pins 34 may be changed. Arm. 29 may be built up of a series of segments 68 having mating teeth 69. The teeth 69 may be only three or four in number to give denite radial positions to pins 34 or many may be used as shown.

If desired a solenoid may be used to reciprocate plug 5 for remote control work.

In Figs. 5 and 6 may be seen the application of the concept of Figs. l, 2 and 3 to a. key or toggle type of switch. Mounting plate |'0| has journaled thereto an operating lever |02 having a projecting pin |03 on its under side. Support arm |04 is screwed or otherwise fastened to the underside of mounting plate |0| and aids in the journaling of lever |02. Support arm |04 extends rearwardly of plate |0| and is provided with an elongate slot |05. A non-conducting block |06 is mounted on the upper rear portion of support arm |04 and is fastened thereto by screws |01 which thread into a spring support arbor |08. Between spring support |08 and arm |04 is mounted a. terminal support |09 for terminals |0 such as are shown in the bottom row of Fig. 4.

A contact arm having contacts ||2 projecting radially therefrom is rotatably mounted the other, the slotted portion may terminate in a. part circular design either top or bottom as desired. Pin |03 ts in slot and causes arm to rotate when key or lever |02 is raised or depressed.

Terminals ||0 mounted in support |09 project through slot |05 so as to engage contacts ||2. Spring support |08 mounts two leaf springs ||8 which bear against flattened portions ||9 at the end of arm so as to restore it when rotated out ofnormal position.

The terminal elements ||0 are stamped from sheet brass or the like and may take a number of shapes depending upon the function desired, as shown in the second line of Fig. 4.

As shown by the arrows, arm may be rotated in either direction. With lever |02 in Fig. 5 down, the rotation is counter-clockwise. With lever |02 up arm rotates clockwise. Upon the basis of such rotation terminal A maintains |02. positions of the toggle. fore break for both positions of the toggle. Terminal F is a make before break for the up position only of lever |02. Terminal G is a, make after break on the up position only of lever |02. circuits.

Operates positions Toggle up Toggle down Terminals l One maintain One break. 2 n D0, 3 One break One maintain. 4.-. ---..do Do. 5... .-...do.' One break. .do.. Do. 7... One make One make after break. 8... -.do.- Do. 9... One mak One make before break. 10. do-.. Do. 1 2.-.. Two mai Two break. 1 4 One maintain one break One break one maintain. 1 6 n Two break. 1 8 One maintain one make One make after break. 1 10 o One make before break. 3 2 (same as l 4 Except toggle reversed 34(sameas12) do 3 6 Two break One maintain one break. 3 8 One make after break. One make one maintain. 3 1 One make before break. Y Do. f 5 2 s Excedpt toggle reversed.

5 4 o 5 6 Two break Two break. 5 One make after break. One make after break. 5 One make before break... One make before break. 7 Except toggle reversed 7 dn 7 ..-.-do 7 Two make. Two make. 7 One make before make.. One make before make.

9 Except toggle reversed `9 .--.n

9 -.do 9 do 9 10 Two make (before break) Two make (before break). 1 2 Two maintain one break. Two break one maintain. 1 2 Three break. 1 2 One make after two break'. 1 2 0....... One make before two break. 1 3 One maintain two break. Two maintain one break` 1 3 5 do Two break one maintain. l 3 7 One maintain one make after one break. One maintain one make after one break. 1 3 9.. One maintain one make before one break. One maintain one make before one break. 1 5 6.- One maintain two break Three break. 1 5 7.. One maintain one make after one break.. l One make after two break. 1 5 9.. One maintain one make before one break. One make before two break. 1 7 8.- One maintain two make Two make after one break. 1 7 9.... One maintain one make before make- One nakgk before break one make after one re i 9 10 One maintain two make Two make before one break. 1 -2 3 Two maintain two break Two break two maintain. 1 2 3 0 Three break one maintain. 1 2 3 Two maintain one make afterbreak. One maintain one make before two break. g }Except toggle reversed 1 5 6 7 One maintain one make after two break. One make after three break. 1 5 6 9 Onemaintain one make before two break. One make before three break. i 7 s 9 One maintain three make Two make after one break one make be fore one break.

1 2.3 4 5 Two u three break Three break two maintain. 1 2 31 4 7 Two maintain one make after two break. Two maintain one make after two break. 1 2 3 4 9 Tvbvo ailiaintairi one make before two Two maintain one make before two re re l 1 2 3 4,5 6 Two maintain four break T'wo maintain four break. 1 2 3 4 5 7 Tvbvo maintain one make after three Tige one make after three lek. fe 1 2 3 4 5 9 Tri'o aiiiairitaiii onemake before three Togo arlriaiiitain one make before three re re 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Two maintain one ake after four break. Two maintain one make after four break. 1 2 3 4 5 6 9 Tivo maintain o `e make before four Tgoealmaintain one make before tour reak. r o l 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Two maintain two make after four break. Two maintain two make after four break. 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 9 Two maintain one make before four Two maintain one make before` four break one make after four break. break one make after four break. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Two maintain one make before four Two maintain one make before" four break two make after four break. break two make after four break.

combinations.

The toggle switch shown in Figs. 5 and 6 has two terminals of type A, two of type B, two of type C, two of type D and two of type E, counting from the front of the switch. Such a switch is capable 'of being wired for the following circuit Two way toggle switch point). Total number c' Unoperated position- 6 closed circuits-4 open 1 2 a 4 5 e 7 s 9 1o.--..`..

2 3 4 a o 1 s o io -5e7ao1o Two makebefore one make.

Two maintain two make before four break two make after four break.

One maintain two make before four break two make after four break.

. Two make before four break two make after foui break Two make before'three break two make after three break.

Two make before two break two make after two break.

Two make before one break two make after one-break.

Two make before two make One make before break two make after three break.

Two maintain two make before four break two make after four break.

Two maintain two make before three.-

Two maintain two 'make before break two make after two break.' 3 *A One maintain two make before 'two break two make after two break. 5'

Two make before' -two break .twol make after two break.

Two make before one break two make after one break.

Two make before two make.

Two make before one make.

One make before Fig. 8 discloses a modification of the panel jack. Contact arm |5| corresponds to arm 29 and carries contacts |52. Terminals I 53 are so positioned beside arm |5| that contacts |52 make and break circuits as desired upon reciprocation of arm |5l. 'Ihe spacing of contacts |52 and terminals |53 may be varied so as to make, break, make before break or other circuit sequences. Arm 5| is provided with a projection |54 to receive 'coil spring |55 which is of suiiicient strength to restore arm |5| to its normal position upon removal of the. plug. The friction of the plug fitting in the ferrule I may be sufficient to keep the spring |55 compressed.

As the above units may be regarded as standard and the various parts in some cases interchangeable they can be readily altered by inserting parts. These parts may be dealt in separately and it is the inventors desire that these parts may be protected as well as the device as a whole.

I claim:

1. A telephone jack of normal construction,

means mounted for rotation, said means so constructed as to make and break a predetermined number of circuits upon rotation, a plug, said plug upon its insertion in the jack acting on said means to cause it to rotate.

2. A telephone jack of normal construction, a rotating contact means, means so constructed and positioned with respect to said rotating means as to transform motion of translation into motion of rotation whereby said rotating contact means may be caused to rotate.

3. A telephone jack of normal construction, a contact spindle mounted for rotation, a. plug, means operative upon the insertion of said plug into said jack for rotating said spindle to make and break a predetermined number of contacts in a predetermined sequence.

4. A panel jack of norm-al construction, a plug,

a base member, signal circuit terminals supported by said base member, a member mounted for rotation and carrying circuit closing elements, so positioned as to aiect said signal circuits, a member having a lip so constructed and arranged that the insertion of the plug into said jack acts on said lip and causes it to move said member and rotate said member mounted for rotation and affect certain of the signal circuits. l

5. A telephone jack of normal construction, an elongate member mounted for rotation, a plug, means operative upon the insertion of said plug into said jack for rotating said member to make and break a predetermined number oi.' contacts in a predetermined sequence.

6. A telephone jack of normal construction, a base member, signal circuit terminals supported by said base member, an elongate movable contact member having 'a plurality of contacts thereon bodily movably mounted on said base member and in operative relation with said terminals, a plug, means operative upon insertion of said plug into said jack for moving said moveable contact member to make and break a predetermined number of circuits in a predetermined sequence.

7. A telephone jack of normal construction, a base member, circuit terminals mounted thereon in side by side relation, a rotating member mounted closely adjacent said circuit terminals, circuit closing means on said rotating member so constructed and arranged that they may contact said circuit terminals, ferrule means adapted to receive a. plug, movable means positioned adjacent said rotating means and said ferrule means whereby the insertion of a plug in said ferrule means causes rotation of said rotating means and said circuit closing means to either make or break contact with said circuit terminals in a predetermined sequence.

8. A telephone jack of normal construction, circuit terminals mounted thereon, a rotating member mounted closely adjacent said circuit terminals, circuit closing means on said rotating member so constructed and arranged that they may contact said circuit terminals, a plug movable mea-ns actuated by the insertion of said plug into said jack and positioned adjacent said rotating means and operablyconnected thereto whereby movement of said movable means causes rotation of said rotating means and changes the relative position of said circuit terminals and said circuit closing means.

9. A telephone jack of normal construction, a base member, signal circuit terminals supported by said base member, an elongate bodily moveable contact member, having a plurality of contacts thereon, said contact member being bodily moveably supported by said base member and in operative relation with said terminals, a plug, said bodily moveable contact member so mounted and arranged that it is operativeupon insertion of the plug into said jack and is bodily moved upon such insertion of said plug whereby a predetermined number of circuits are made or broken in a predetermined sequence, and means tending to restore said bodily movable member to its original position.

10. A telephone jackof normal construction, a base member, signal circuit terminals supported by said base member, an elongated movable contact member having a plurality of contacts thereon, said contact member being bodily movably supported by said base member and in operative relationship with said terminals, a plug, said bodily movable contact member so mounted and arranged that it is bodily moved upon insertion of the plug into said jack whereby a predetermined number of circuits are made or broken in a predetermined sequence, means tending to restore said bodily movable member to its original position, said signal circuit terminals being mounted on said jack and arranged one behind the other in such a manner that the projected area of the jack upon a panel surface is substantially independent of the number oi.' circuits controlled by said jack.

11. The combination set forth in claim 1, said means having a plurality of contacts thereon and signal circuit terminals mounted on said jack in operative relation to said contacts.

12. The combination set forth in claim 2, said contact means having a plurality of contacts thereon and signal circuit terminals mounted on said jack in operative relation to said contacts.

13. The combination set forth in claim 1, said means comprising a plurality of segments angularly adjustable and contact elements on certain of the segments.

14. A telephone jack of normal construction, a base member, signal circuit terminals supported by said base member, an elongate movable contact member having a plurality of contact portions in operative relation with said terminals, means mounting said contact member on said base member, said contact member being bodily movable with respect to said base member and said mounting member, a plug, said bodily movable contact member so mounted and arranged that it is operative upon insertion of the plug Gil means rotates said elongate member, said means being actuated by the insertion of said plug into said jack.

17. The combination set forth in claim 16, contact .elements on said elongate member, terminal elements positioned in side by side relationship beside said member whereby rotation of said member makes or breaks contact between said terminal element and said contact elements.

EARL F. NORR'ITO. 

